Ryder Cup hero Leonard staying near the top

Friday, Oct. 15, 1999 | 12:01 p.m.

After sinking the "Putt Heard 'Round the World" three weeks ago to return the Ryder Cup to the United States in dramatic fashion, Justin Leonard conceded that even a $2.5 million tournament such as the Las Vegas Invitational can seem like a leisurely round of golf.

But that's not to say the 27-year-old hero of the Ryder Cup matches is approaching this week's tournament any differently. Leonard rang up 10 birdies Thursday at the TPC at Summerlin en route to an 8-under-par 64 that left him two shots off the lead going into today's third round.

Leonard, playing in his second regular PGA Tour stop since sinking a dramatic 45-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., that clinched the U.S. team's Ryder Cup victory, said playing a tour event took some adjusting to after competing in the team format of the Ryder Cup.

"It's got a different feel to it," Leonard said of the Ryder Cup. "After every shot there, you're feeling it. This (tournament) is just a lot more relaxed."

Leonard, however, still is motivated to do well this week as he seeks to accomplish one of his preseason goals. Although he ranks eighth on the PGA Tour money list ($1,773,491), Leonard still is in search of his first victory of the season.

"I've got some things I want to accomplish by the end of the year, so that's helping me stay focused this week," Leonard said. "I haven't won a tournament (in 1999) and that's my main goal right now. It's hard to do that, for me, if I'm not focused so that kind of helps me to get into the round."

Although he has yet to find the winner's circle this season, it's not as if Leonard has played poorly. In 25 starts prior to the LVI, Leonard has two second-place finishes, two third-place showings and has made the cut 22 times.

Playing with three amateurs each day, Leonard said, has not hampered his focus this week -- as was apparent during his round Thursday. In fact, he said playing in the pro-am format has helped him stay relaxed.

"I've had really good (amateur) groups here through the years," Leonard said. "The six amateurs I've played with this far have been great.

"It does (help keep me relaxed). They've got things going on and they're excited about it and the thing that has been great is they get into my round. You don't have to worry about these guys; they realize we're out here and we do this for a living. They try to have fun and enjoy it ... and as long as I'm helping along the way, I think it's all good."

Leonard had only himself to blame for the one hiccup in his round at the TPC -- a double-bogey 5 on the par-3 17th hole after hitting his tee shot into the water hazard. Other than that, Leonard played aggressively and attacked the pins throughout the round.

"I got burned once there on 17 -- I hit the wrong kind of shot and paid for it," he said. "I was just trying to play aggressively and I've been hitting the ball well, so it was a lot of fun."

His two-day total of 15-under-par 129 left him tied for fourth place with Craig Barlow and Jonathan Kaye and only two shots off Harrison Frazar's total of 127 after two rounds.

With the Desert Inn on his plate today and the tournament lead clearly in sight after two rounds, Leonard said he was confident about his chances this weekend.

"I feel like I'm in pretty good shape," he said. "It sounds like we may get some wind (today) or this weekend, so that will change everybody's attitude a little bit.

"I think I have a good feeling just from the aspect that I don't feel like I have to go and play catch-up. If you don't get off to a good start here, seeing all those low scores, you can get frustrated."